Recognizing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a very serious disorder. It causes a person to have very extreme mood swings, going from very depressed, to very happy, or very irritated. Each mood swing is called an episode, and can last from several months to only a few hours.

The depression episode of bipolar disorder is the time in which the person feels very sad. Often times, they are so sad, they do not want to get out of bed, eat, or do any other normal daily activities. They cannot seem to even enjoy doing things that they normally find fun.

The episodes of extreme happiness are known as mania. It can have two effects, one being extreme happiness, the other being extreme irritability. People going through a manic episode often do very risky things that they would not normally do.

Hypomania is almost a transition stage between mania and depression because if a person is in a hypo-manic state, they will generally feel good about themselves and feel as if they are getting a lot done. This episode does not interfere with the person's job or social life, or even relationships with family and friends. Most people believe that a person is just fine and nothing is wrong when they see a bipolar patient in this state. Unfortunately, this state can quickly lead into a manic or a depressive episode.

When a person has multiple moods swings in a short amount of time, it is called a mixed mood episode. Their moods change quickly and often many times in the same day.

Bipolar disorder can be hard to recognize because the signs and symptoms are often the same as those found in many other disorders. It is not unlikely that a person suffers from bipolar disorder for up to ten years before being properly diagnosed. More often than not, the first diagnosis these people receive is one of major depression. Diagnosis can be so difficult because when these people are in a manic episode, they rarely seek help. They feel like they are just finally over their depressive state.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder can be very different in each person. If a person is experiencing a depressive episode, they will feel sad, could lose interest in normal activities that they normally find joy in, fell worthless, hopeless, and even guilty, they may experience periods of too little or too much sleep, have a significant change in appetite and/or weight, feel restless, have trouble concentrating, or making decisions, they may even think about or talk about suicide. If suicide is even thought of, let alone spoke of, immediate help is needed for this person.

During a depressive episode, the person may feel just completely drained of all energy and ability to do things. They may not think that anything is worth the effort. For a person in this state, it is a chore to simply get out of bed and face each day.

Signs and symptoms of a person experiencing an episode of mania can include an increase in the person's energy, needing less sleep, their mind may race or jump around., may become easily distracted, may become more talkative than usual, or feel like they need to keep talking, their self-confidence is at a higher level than usual, they focus on getting things done, but often accomplish little, and they often take risks and do things that are extreme and unlike the person. Often times, this behavior ends up causing bad things to happen to the person such as serious illness or injury.

Of course, everybody has mood swings. It is a natural part of life. The difference between normal mood swings and suffering from bipolar disorder is that when a person is suffering from bipolar disorder, their mood swings are so extreme, they effect not only the person having them, but also everyone around them, and make the person feel as if their life is unbearable.

People who have bipolar disorder are often diagnosed with other things, such as depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia. It is important for these people to keep track of their mood swings, and continue going to the doctor even when they feel good. there are many other problems that can be linked to bipolar disorder, including alcohol and substance abuse problems, anorexia, bulimia, ADHD, panic disorder, and social phobias. All of these things are treatable, but can be very dangerous.

There are four main types of bipolar disorder that are known. They are Bipolar 1 Disorder, in which the person has at least one episode of mania or mixed mood , and often an episode of depression. Often times, the mood swings occur with the change of season, and in between episodes, the person seems perfectly normal. Bipolar 2 Disorder is the second type of this disorder. In this type, there is at least one episode of depression and at least one episode of hypermania. Hypermania being a mild form of mania. Moods swings may happen with the change of seasons, and a person may seem perfectly normal in between occurrences. The third type of bipolar disorder is known as Cyclothymic Disorder. This is a mild type of bipolar disorder. Mood swings are shorter in duration and are not as severe. A lot of people with this type of bipolar disorder go on to experience a more severe type later on, but not all people do. The fourth type of bipolar disorder is called Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. This type of bipolar disorder is diagnosed as such when the person does not fit into any other category. Yet, some people experience more than four severe mood swings or episodes in less than a year. When this happens, it is known as rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.

It is not known exactly known what causes bipolar disorder, but it is believed that it runs in families. It normally starts in teenagers and young adults, but can occur in children and older adults. Bipolar disorder effects people of all races and backgrounds, from all walks of life equally, it does not discriminate. It may have something to do with chemical imbalances in the brain. Hormone levels can also be a factor. There has been a link between bipolar disorder and thyroid hormone levels. Differences in the brain, such as shape and size of certain parts of the brain may also play a role. It is also said that some illnesses can play a role in bipolar disorder.

There are things that are known to trigger mood swings in those with bipolar disorder. These triggers are also called stressors because they can cause the person a lot of stress and thus, trigger a mood swing. Common triggers are the person not having a regular sleep-wake schedule, the abuse of alcohol or drugs, especially street drugs, the person stopping their bipolar medication, having a thyroid problem, or any other medical problem. In some cases, starting to take a medication for depression can be a trigger, so can other medications and herbal remedies. More general triggers, or stressors can be things like change of seasons, holidays, illness in themselves or even a loved one, argument with a family member, friend, co-worker, or boss, the loss of a loved one, getting married, or any major change in life. All of these things can potentially cause a person with bipolar disorder to have an extreme mood swing.

For a person with bipolar disorder it is important to try avoid things that may trigger their mood swings. It is equally important for them to keep a journal or log to track their mood swings. A detailed journal can help them identify the triggers and avoid them.

There are medications available to help manage bipolar disorder. These are mood stabilizers, which delay or even relieve the severity of the mood swings. These can help people with bipolar disorder go longer in between their mood swings. Antidepressants are often used with mood stabilizers for people who are having depressive episodes. If they are used alone, they can cause a person with bipolar disorder to swing into a manic episode. Antipsychotics are mostly used to treat episodes of mania. They can be used to treat psychosis that can result from extremely severe episodes of either depression or mania, or those who have severe agitation and/or anxiety. There are other medications that can be given to help the person sleep or ease their nerves. Another treatment that is not a medication is called electroconvulsive therapy. It can be used for those who do poorly with medication. The goal in any and all treatment is to help reduce the episodes of depression and mania, and to help make the person's life manageable. It is important that any person taking medication, or treatment of any kind knows that it takes time.

In conclusion, bipolar disorder is an often hard to diagnose disorder that is very serious. The sooner it can be diagnosed, the better the chance the person has of being able to manage the disorder and lead a manageable life.